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[jeremystravels]

OMG, just looked it up!

The 300 Club is a mid-winter activity at Pole so named for the -300°F temperature shift one experiences when running from a +200°F sauna to the Pole and back when the outside ambient temperature hits -100° or below.

Yep that'd be it.

[starlagurl]

I'd try it, would you?

[jeremystravels]

I'd try it, would you?

I get dizzy from jumping into a pool after going in a hot tub... so... i'll give that one a solid no.

[starlagurl]

Dizzy, really. Hmmm, never happened to me before.

[jeremystravels]

Dizzy, really. Hmmm, never happened to me before.

It only happened once. Nothing like shocking your veins with extreme heat and cold to restrict blood flow to your major organs. I'll take a 150 challenge, but not 300 haha.

[sangefish]

Nothing beats a story about a brisk Antarctic skinny dip at a dinner party.
--Holly Corbett

Hi Starlagurl,

I came across this thread - Skinny dipping in Antarctica?, Would you?
And with such an intriguing heading – i couldn’t stop myself from clicking...
I am only new to this forum, but i have surfed your web-site pages on a regular basis.
I’m planning a round the world holiday in September – and discovering the benefits of the site’s free Travel Blog – I’m truly inspired to make it as hassle free as possible.

The picture of these guys braving the freezing Antarctic waters is such a laugh, but i don’t think it was as cold as they would like you to believe? And from my research on Antarctic – I had the feeling that the picture is slightly deceptive…
I clicked on the link at the beginning of the thread – (http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/3/13/943...+Skinny+Dipping – and found this website to be extremely interesting) And what do you know – their … “ship headed to Whaler's Bay near Deception Island,” – “Sulfurous clouds lingered above the shoreline as evidence that hot lava flowed beneath our feet.” – “The expedition team dug a hot-water pool on the beach as voyagers peeled away” – their clothes.
What I’ve read from the Antarctic tour itineraries is that the “Subterranean volcanic energy heats a few areas of the bay, particularly the one named Pendulum Cove (due to its magnetic variance) and this favourite spot is where tourists come to swim in the Antarctic! The water temperature is about 45 degrees and bubbles up through the small scoria rocks. But you have to be careful not to dig up the area beneath you with your feet to much - or the temperature becomes way too hot. So even if it’s snowing a majority of tourists don their bathing suits to relish the unique experience of swimming in these thermal-heated waters.”
But never have i read anywhere of other fellow travellers taking the plunge first in the icy waters – most whinge that the hot-water pools (that have been dug out by the expedition team) are more like half filled baths and they have to keep splashing themselves to keep warm.
Anyway – it was very interesting to see other people’s responses to the thread... And would I do it? Skinny dipping or not – i like my water hot – all the way through... so the Blue Lagoon in Iceland sounds nice!

cheerio
sangefish

[ScottWoz]

Hi sangefish,

Welcome to the Travelpod forums. That was a very insightful post. We need more people like you around here. Hope to see you around more..

[starlagurl]

Well, what these people did, was jump in the cold ocean and then they jumped into the warm pool that was dug for them.

That's still quite the feat of bravery, I think.

[shaunna]

I would LOVE to join the 300 club! Sadly, I won't get to do a winter at the Pole unless I get a different job. I'm going to wait for a colder day here at McMurdo and try to join the 200 club towards the end of this season. The Polar Plunge hasn't happened yet, but from what I hear, it's coming up soon, so I'll be sure to let you know how it is. I'm working on my Antarctica travelogue as we speak, so check it out if you'd like in the weeks to come. I'm a bit behind! (only 4 months!)

[starlagurl]

Whoah, I want to read this! Don't forget to send me a notification when it's done.

[baytvl]

This photo is probably fom Deception Island, where the water flows from the volcano. The water is about 100 degrees. Every cruise ship that goes to Antarctica goes there for swimming......

[starlagurl]

Haha, Soja! You are hilarious! Did you take that picture?

[kiwi_surfer]

Maybe i should of done it nude... oh well maybe next time

[heatheravan]

Very belated addition. We have taken a swim at deception island in Dec 2010 (see our deception island post for pics) and it is true that volcanic water flows into the bay, letting off steam and giving the impression the water is warm. This is the guise used to encourage expedition guests to take the plunge. It as true that the first few centimeters are warmer, and that a warmish pool can be dug on the shore, However trust me the water underneath is heart stoppingly cold and the air is not comfortable. The experience however is truly one you will never forget. LOL Oh!! the skinny dip bit, not technically we wore bathers in, but had to get naked to get warm clothes on to head back to the ship. Yes there are towels available. All we can add is do it!!!!